Between Prešov and Košice stretches the Slanské vrchy, a mountain range of volcanic origin. They hide in their heart something unique worldwide – the world’s largest and oldest opal mines.
The Dubnícke mines are a historically and culturally significant site whose history dates back to times well before our era. A valuable opal from Dubník enchanted many a monarch, alchemist or poet, and until the end of the 19th century, this was the only open deposit of precious opal in the world.
Slovak opal is a certified geographical indication of precious opal, which comes from deposits in the Slanské vrchy in Eastern Slovakia. For centuries Slovak precious opals have stood out with their intensive play of colours, or so-called opalescence, and they are highly valued worldwide for their unique properties.
The underground complex of the mines is made up of a network of tunnels running over 35 kilometres in length. The mining of precious opal in Dubník continued until 1922.
In the underground mines, you’ll discover the history of precious opal from Dubník with your own senses. You’ll learn how the opal was formed, how it was mined and processed, and how precious opal jewellery decorated the necklines and heads of the world’s queens.
A visit to the opal mines is also an excellent idea for a school trip.
Did you know that:
- these are the oldest opal mines in the world
- they were the only opal mines in the world until the discovery of precious opal deposits in Australia at the end of the 19th century
- they are the most extensive opal mines in the world
- The harlequin, the largest opal found here, is kept in the Natural History Museum in Vienna
- The Trojan fire, one of the most celebrated of opal necklaces, adorned the neckline of Empress Joséphine Bonaparte
- the head of Queen Victoria was adorned with an opal tiara bearing 17 opals from Dubník
- 16 species of bats, more than 8,000 individuals, spend the winter months inside the mines
- the temperature in the mines is a constant 6°C
You’ll learn more interesting things about precious opal and about this site rich in history during a guided tour of the opal mines.
Opening hours
GPS coordinates of the Jozef tunnel entrance
(tours of the opal mines): 48.9040705, 21.4593696
Opening hours of the Visitors’ Centre
from 1 July until 31 August: from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
from 1 September until 30 June: from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
How to get to Slovak opal mines:
- on foot – following the blue hiking trail from the village of Červenica
- by bicycle – the cycling path from Prešov towards Sigord, then along the asphalt road in the direction of Zlatá Baňa and Červenica
- by car – from Prešov through the village of Zlatá Baňa, from Košice through the villages of Kecerovce and Červenica
- by bus – to Červenica and from there walk about 30 minutes following the blue hiking trail
Tour length: the tour route is 1 km long and takes approximately 1 hour
Tour difficulty: low
Practical information:
- the temperature underground is 6°C all year round
- the humidity inside the mine is high, more than 90%
- it is advisable to dress warmly and wear appropriate shoes, as they may be easily dirtied after the tour
- download the purchased tickets to your phone in advance or print them out
- you will get a helmet to wear before entering the mine
Contact
Slovenské opálové bane, s.r.o
082 07 Červenica
Phone:
+421 850 030 850 (SR),
+421 904 22 33 00 (mimo SR)
E-mail:
info@opalovebane.com
Web:
opalovebane.com
Tourist Information Centre Prešov
Mestské informačné centrum Prešov
Hlavná 67
080 01 Prešov
Phone:
+421 (0) 51/3100125, 3100126
E-mail:
mic.info@presov.sk
Web:
http://www.presov.sk
